Cybersecurity 101

In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is essential. At WatchGuard, we break down key cybersecurity topics with clear explanations, practical examples, and proven best practices. Whether you want to learn about network security, endpoint protection, identity management, or cyber threats—start your journey with Cybersecurity 101.

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Network Detection and Response (NDR)

Provides continuous, real-time monitoring and analysis of network traffic to detect, investigate, and stop malicious threats. Can be deployed as an appliance or through the cloud. Advantage of cloud-native NDR: no new hardware to manage, no sensors, no packet capture infrastructure, eliminating cost and complexity of hardware-based NDR.

Network Discovery

A WatchGuard security service that generates a visual map of all nodes on your network, ensuring only authorized devices are connected while detecting all open ports and protocols.

Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV)

Uses AI, machine learning, and behavioral analysis that is not available in traditional antivirus solutions to proactively detect and stop known and unknown threats. Goes beyond traditional signature-based methods to catch modern malware, ransomware, and fileless attacks before they cause damage.

Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW)

A network security device that provides capabilities beyond a traditional, stateful firewall, including additional features like application awareness and control, integrated intrusion prevention, and cloud-delivered threat intelligence.

North/South Traffic

Traffic that moves between an organization's network perimter and the outside world (e.g., the Internet, a user's device). See East/West Traffic